Tartan Films and TLA Releasing Team Up for "Mysterious Skin" Release

“Mysterious Skin” director Gregg Araki pictured at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Tartan Films USA and TLA Releasing are teaming up to release his latest film in North America. Photo credit: Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE.

Tartan Films USA and TLA Releasing are partnering to release director ‘s latest feature “Mysterious Skin,” in North America, reps from the two companies announced Friday. MJ Peckos, CEO of Tartan Films, and John Sloss of Cinetic Media negotiated the deal. Tartan and TLA will release the film theatrically in May 2005 and on DVD in Fall 2005. Tartan and TLA have an exclusive agreement where TLA distributes all DVD and Video product from Tartan Video.

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“3rd Rock From The Sun,”“Manic”), Brady Corbet (“Thirteen”), Academy Award®-nominee Elizabeth Shue (“Leaving Las Vegas”) and Michelle Trachtenberg (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”), the film is based on the novel by Scott Heim.

“Mysterious Skin” had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival this summer, followed by its North American debut in September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In the words of a description, the movie “explores the hearts and minds of two very different boys who turn out not to be as different as they appear. Brian is a troubled 18 year-old, who grew up a scared, introverted kid in the small town of Hutchinson, Kansas. Plagued by nightmares and terrified of the dark, Brian believes that he may have been the victim of an alien abduction. Neil McCormick is the ultimate beautiful outsider, wise beyond his years and curious about his developing sexuality. Eventually, Neil’s pursuit of what he thinks is love leads him to New York City, while Brian’s search for what happened leads him to Neil together, both ultimately discover the truth.”

“‘Mysterious Skin’ is a truly powerful and emotional film. It’s such a smart, mature piece by Gregg, and he got such amazing performances from his actors,” said Peckos in a statement. “It’s certainly a career-making performance by the young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. ‘Mysterious Skin’ will be one of the more important releases for Tartan and TLA next year.”

“‘Mysterious Skin’ is an Antidote Films/Desperate Pictures production. Mary Jane Skalski, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Gregg Araki produced the film with Wouter Barendrecht and Michael J. Werner of Fortissimo Films as executive producers. Fortissimo Films is also handling international sales on the film. Araki’s previous films include “Nowhere,” starring James Duvall, Debi Mazar, Kathleen Robertson, and Heather Graham, as well as the love triangle film “Splendor,” starring Kathleen Robertson, Jonathon Schaech and Matt Keeslar. Earlier Araki films include his ’90’s trilogy “The Living End,”“Totally F***ed Up,” and the criminal sex spree “The Doom Generation.”